From this thread, Windows Easy Transfer is a solution to connect two Windows computers over USB to USB, but this software only transfers user settings, documents, and application, all in one step. It is used to migrate a user from one PC to another.

I need a netbook to access the DVD drive of a laptop. The netbook does not have an optical drive.

Is this impossible over a USB-USB cable?

Is it impossible to use USB in the same way ethernet it is used for networking? Why is a USB-USB connection different for computer-computer versus computer to specific devices like printers/scanners etc? A computer is simply not detected as a device, while printers are.

Update: I'm aware I can use a cross-over ethernet cable; I simply don't have one. I will try a normal cable though, at the suggestion below that Windows might detect and update the direct connection.

One thing to rememeber with this type of network, using computer names
will not work (it could- but most likely not) So when mapping drives
use the IP Adress not NetBiOS name,
the same when browsing. \\192.168.0.1 in explorer bar (not IE)

You can also use ipconfig /all for more verbose detials of the network settings

I would strongly suggest not trying to use USB to USB, because on BIOS based computers do not support this natively.

For example. Using a macintosh, during boot you can use a fire wire cable to connect 2 macs and they can use each other resources without any problem by a press of a button, usually "T" on boot.

Most PCs and network devices now a days do detect themselves that they are in a "cross over situation" and resolve this by software. You should be fine with a normal network cable.
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BetaRideDec 16 '11 at 9:36

Yes, you should be fine.. but if you want to be sure. Use a cross over
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ppumkinDec 16 '11 at 9:51

If one of the systems is gig e it should do autonegotiation
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Journeyman Geek♦Dec 16 '11 at 12:33

1

@BetaRide: AFAIR the auto-crossing feature in mandatory for all Gigabit Ethernet ports. This the reason why most devices support it.
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RobertDec 16 '11 at 12:38

I tried a normal ethernet cable, and switched TCP/IP to automatic settings for both PCs. Their IP addresses became 169.254.54.201 & 169.254.155.14, with 255.255.0.0 subnet mask, but they couldn't ping each other. Does it matter what IP address and subnet mask they have?
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SteveDec 16 '11 at 12:39

The special reason is I simply don't have an ethernet cross over cable, and a straight ethernet cable hasn't worked, although I may have set TCP/IP settings incorrectly for that. I can't ping either PC from the other over wireless; see this thread: superuser.com/questions/271343/…
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SteveDec 16 '11 at 12:44

Then you should resolve this problem. The USB cable soltion is not likely to make you happy.
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BetaRideDec 16 '11 at 14:20